If your flat feet VA claim was denied, you are not alone and you are not out of options. Most pes planus claims are denied not because veterans are undeserving, but because the VA determined that one or more required elements of service connection were missing, unclear, or poorly supported.
In this guide from VA disability expert Brian Reese, you will learn why flat feet VA claims are denied, how the VA evaluates pes planus under Diagnostic Code 5276, and what steps to take next, including when to pursue a Higher-Level Review versus a Supplemental Claim.
Let’s break it down clearly and strategically.
Why the VA Denies Flat Feet Claims?
Flat feet claims are denied for a small set of recurring reasons. VA decision letters commonly cite findings such as:
- No confirmed diagnosis of pes planus
- No evidence of an in-service event or duty that caused or worsened the condition
- No medical nexus linking flat feet to military service
- Flat feet were noted at entry and not shown to be aggravated beyond natural progression
- A C&P examiner described symptoms as mild despite functional limitations
“Most flat feet denials are evidence problems, not credibility problems,” Reese explains. “The VA often agrees veterans have pain, but says the legal requirements were not met.”
Under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303, service connection requires proof that a disability was incurred in or aggravated by military service.
Common Reasons Flat Feet VA Claims Are Denied and How to Fix Them
| VA Denial Reason | What the VA Is Really Saying | What Evidence Fixes the Problem |
|---|---|---|
| No current diagnosis of pes planus | VA does not see a confirmed medical condition | Podiatry or orthopedic diagnosis clearly stating pes planus (flat feet) |
| No in-service event or injury | VA does not see how service affected your feet | Service treatment records, MOS duties, profiles, or lay statements describing foot stress |
| No medical nexus | VA does not see a link between service and flat feet | Nexus letter stating “at least as likely as not” caused by or related to service |
| Condition existed before service | VA believes flat feet were pre-existing | Medical opinion proving permanent worsening beyond natural progression |
| Symptoms described as mild | VA believes the condition does not meet rating criteria | Evidence of pain on use, swelling, callosities, pronation, and functional loss |
| C&P exam downplayed severity | VA relied on an inadequate exam | Private medical opinion directly rebutting the C&P findings |
| Orthotics relieve symptoms | VA assumes condition is non-compensable | Proof that pain and deformity persist despite orthotics |
Three Ways to Service Connect Flat Feet (Pes Planus)
The VA recognizes three primary legal pathways for service connection.
1. Direct Service Connection
This applies when flat feet began during military service.
Use this approach if:
- Your entrance exam did not note pes planus
- Symptoms developed during service or shortly after discharge
- A medical provider links pes planus to physical demands of service
“Long marches, prolonged standing, and load bearing are classic contributors to acquired flat feet,” said a licensed podiatrist who routinely evaluates veterans.
Evidence That Supports Direct Service Connection
- Service treatment records showing foot pain or profiles
- MOS duties involving heavy physical stress
- A nexus letter stating flat feet are at least as likely as not caused by service
2. Secondary Service Connection
Secondary service connection applies when flat feet are caused or aggravated by another service-connected disability.
Examples include:
- Knee, ankle, or hip conditions that alter gait and lead to pes planus
- Service-connected flat feet that later cause knee, hip, or back problems
“Biomechanics matter,” explained an orthopedic specialist. “An altered gait from one joint often transfers stress to the arches.”
Evidence That Supports Secondary Service Connection
- Existing service-connected orthopedic conditions
- Medical opinion explaining causation or aggravation
- Imaging or exams showing overpronation or gait abnormalities
3. Service Connection by Aggravation
This path applies when flat feet were noted at enlistment.
If pes planus was documented at MEPS, the VA treats it as pre-existing. You can still win by proving aggravation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.306.
You must show:
- Flat feet existed before service
- The condition permanently worsened during service
- The worsening exceeded natural progression
“The VA often loses aggravation cases when they cannot clearly explain why worsening was ‘natural,’” Reese notes.
Temporary flare-ups are not enough. You need evidence of lasting severity increases.
How the VA Rates Flat Feet (Diagnostic Code 5276)?
The VA evaluates pes planus under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, DC 5276, based on severity and whether one or both feet are affected.
VA Rating Levels for Flat Feet
- 0%: Mild symptoms relieved by arch supports
- 10%: Moderate pain on use or manipulation
- 20%: Severe unilateral flat feet
- 30%: Severe bilateral flat feet
- 30%: Pronounced unilateral flat feet
- 50%: Pronounced bilateral flat feet
“Many veterans are underrated because examiners focus on orthotics instead of functional loss,” said a former VA rater.
What to Do After a Flat Feet VA Claim Is Denied?
Under the Appeals Modernization Act, veterans have three review options.
Higher-Level Review
Choose this if:
- All evidence was already in the record
- The VA misapplied the law or ignored favorable evidence
- The C&P exam was clearly flawed
“No new evidence is allowed in HLR,” Reese cautions. “This lane is about correcting VA errors, not fixing missing proof.”
Supplemental Claim
This is the best option when your claim lacked:
- A diagnosis
- A nexus letter
- Evidence of aggravation
- Detailed functional impact
“A strong podiatry opinion often turns a denial into an approval,” said a VA-accredited claims agent.
File within one year to preserve your effective date.
Pro Tips to Win a Denied Flat Feet Claim
- Do not resubmit the same evidence
- Obtain a detailed podiatry or orthopedic opinion
- Describe how pain affects standing, walking, and work
- Use lay statements to document continuity of symptoms
- Challenge inadequate C&P exams directly
“Flat feet claims are won with precision,” Reese emphasizes. “Specific evidence tied to VA regulations changes outcomes.”
Final Thought
A denied flat feet VA claim does not mean the end of the road. It usually means the VA did not clearly see:
- A confirmed diagnosis
- A service-related cause or aggravation
- A strong nexus opinion
- Evidence matching DC 5276 severity criteria
“You carried the weight for your country,” Reese concludes. “If flat feet are now limiting your mobility, the law gives you a path to compensation.”
Use the right review lane, strengthen your evidence, and pursue the benefits you earned.
FAQs
Is flat feet a VA disability?
Yes. Pes planus is compensable from 0% to 50% under Diagnostic Code 5276.
What is the highest VA rating for flat feet?
The maximum rating is 50% for pronounced bilateral flat feet.
Can I win if flat feet existed before service?
Yes, if you prove permanent aggravation beyond natural progression.
What if my service records show no foot complaints?
VA can still grant service connection using post-service medical evidence and credible lay statements.
How long do I have to appeal?
You generally have one year from the decision date to preserve your effective date.
